A Lakewood man who beat and sexually assaulted a choir director inside her church has been sentenced to 228-years-to-life in prison.
Linwood Richard Halliburton, 45, was sentenced Friday in Golden for the February 2008 attack, according to a media release from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
In October a jury found Halliburton guilty of kidnapping, sexual assault, assault, felony menacing, and robbery, among other charges.
A trail of blood in the snow and a sharp, patient Lakewood police officer lead to Halliburton’s arrest.
On Feb. 10, 2008, Lakewood police responded to a break-in at the United Methodist Church at West 14th Avenue and Brentwood Street. The burglar, who ransacked the church offices, had fled. But police followed a trail of blood, the suspect cut a hand while breaking a window, and shoe prints in the snow to a nearby trailer park. Police, however, couldn’t find a suspect that night.
The next night there was a break-in just a few blocks away at the First Presbyterian Church, 8210 W. 10th Ave., the release said.
A 53-year-old choir director arrived at the church around 7 p.m. to prepare for choir practice when she was attacked. The assailant hit and kicked,her head and face several times. He grabbed her purse and demanded credit card PIN numbers, the district attorney’s office said. He then sexually assaulted the victim.
When choir members arrived at the church the man fled with the victim’s credit cards and some other property.
Police responded to the attack and officers recalled the church break-in — and trail of blood — from the night before. An officer went back to the trailer park and waited outside one of the homes.
Halliburton, who had the stolen credit cards in his pockets, arrived and was arrested.
At the time Halliburton was considered an “escapee” by the corrections department because of parole violations, the DA’s office said.
During his trial, witnesses said the First Presbyterian Church had helped Halliburton, several times, providing him with food, gift cards and other assistance prior to the break-in and attack.
The court found Halliburton, who had five prior felony convictions, to be a “habitual criminal.” That status required Halliburton to receive four times the maximum prison sentencing range for his latest conviction.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
